Tank containers

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a tank container comprising a receptacle with a cylindrical middle portion provided with domed covers and run-off fittings, and a frame or cradle the corners of which are provided with purpose-made container corner fittings.

United States Patent 1 1 1 1 f fi Ramme 51 May 1, 1973 54] TANK CONTAINERS 2,724,597 11/1955 Fowler ..220 71 x [76] Inventor: Hans Joachim Ramme, Gebr. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPUCATIONS Grimm Str. 5, Flechtdorf, Germany 1,535,681 7/1968 France ..220/1 B Flledr J y 20, 1970 599,766 3/1948 Great Britain... .....220/D1G. a [21] 1,057,010 5/1959 Germany ..220/12 Appl. No.: 56,387

Primary ExaminerGeorge E. Lowrance [30] Foreign Application Priority Data AttorneyWhittemore, Hulbert & Belknap July 22, 1969 Germany ..P 19 37 192.7

521 its. (:1 ..220/71, 220/1 B, 220/12, [57] ABSTRACT 220/84 I 51 1m. (:1 ..B65d 7/14, 865d 7/44 This invention relaws to a tank container comprising a [58] Field of Search ..220/1 B, 3, 5 A, receptacle with a cylindrical middle portion provided 220/12 71 84 with domed covers and run-off fittings, and a frame or cradle the corners of which are provided with pur- [5 6] References Cited pose-made container corner fittings.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 3,616,959 11/1971 Remsey.... ..220/69 X 1/ 4 I; /0 I; 1 -22 -r. 1,11

l l' 1 46 j "\lj I I Z/ k- I I i I i 4 i j r1 5 -r I HANS-JOACHIM RAMME ATTORNEYS Pmmnywsr 11m 3 730,384

/0 1 80 for HANS-JOACHIM RAMME BY k ATTORNEYS TANK CONTAINERS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Containers for piece goods and bulk material are assuming increasing importance in freight traffic. The dimensions and the design of these containers is already becoming largely standardized with the object of avoiding handling difficulties in all parts of the world.

In this connection there are increasing requirements for so-called tank containers which enable liquids to be transported over long distances in large casks and to be transferred into smaller casks in situ. A tank container of this nature must obviously comply with the usual requirements concerning overall dimensions, arrangement and design of the corner fitting and so forth. Furthermore, the tank container must be able to withstand the specified compression stresses.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tank container which has the maximum possible volume within the prescribed dimensions, adequately meets requirements made in respect of pressure, and which can be insulated to a considerable extent from external stresses.

The present invention involves providing a rigid frame of appropriate strength in which the tank receptacle is merely supported in the region of the four lower corners of said frame, the external dimensions of the tank receptacle corresponding to the internal breadth, height and length of the frame system. With this new design the frame constitutes a system which is closed or balanced from the point of view of the forces encountered, which will safely withstand all external forces, and which remains clear of the actual tank receptacle itself so that the long cylindrical middle portion of the latteris relieved of any excessive external stresses. This enables the design of the tank receptacle to be worked BRIEF'DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one end of a tank receptacle suitable for use with a tank container or cradle;

FIG. 2 is a view of the end ofa frame system pertaining to the tank receptacle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the end of the frame system shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows the run-off fitting along a section embracing the axis of the tank receptacle;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the run-off fitting, in which the tank receptacle itself is not shown;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the design of the domed cover, which can be used in the tank receptacle according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the frame system as a whole; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of one end of the frame system according to FIG. 7, the top half of said drawing showing the upper side of the frame system whilst the lower half is of a plan of the bottom portion seen from above.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The tank receptacle to be used in conjunction with the tank container or cradle according to the invention consists of a cylindrical middle portion 2, with adjoining end sections 3. The end sections are sealed off by dished end portions 4. Rings 5 extend over the entire periphery between the middle portion 2 and the end portions 3, and serve to stiffen and to anchor the tank receptacle. Moreover, stiffening plates 6 which engage with the means in the frame system for anchoring said tank receptacle are welded onto the receptacle walls on both sides of the middle line in the lower halves of the end sections 3.

The run-off fitting 7 is located in the lower side approximately in the region of the lower middle line of the tank receptacle. The run-off fitting 7, on which a connecting flange 8 can be mounted is integral with the tank receptacle and will be described in more detail subsequently. It will be seen however from FIG. 1 that the run-off fitting projects only slightly beyond the external dimensions of the actual tank receptacle. This contributes in considerable measure to the fact that the entire space available within the frame system can be utilized for the tank receptacle.

The tank receptacle shown in FIG. 1 is housed in a closed frame system of appropriate strength said frame system being shown in FIGS. 2 and 7.

As is apparent from FIG. 7 the frame system consists of two end sections 40 and 41, which form separate closed units, the longitudinal struts 1 l of which project beyond the separate frames and are common to both frames. The length of the struts 11 determines the length of the frame system as a whole.

As will be apparent from FIG. 2, the length of the closed frame member indicated at 10 is such that it fits the end portion 3 of the tank receptacle and the stiffening ring 5. Apart from the four longitudinal struts 11 the frame portion 10 consists of vertical frame members 12 and 15 and of cross members 13, 14 and 17. Moreover, both sides of the frame portion 10 are provided with diagonal struts 19, which are secured to the front end of the frame by connecting plates 16.

As will be seen from FIG. 3 the front end is likewise stiffened diagonally by struts 25 in conjunction with connecting plates 22, 23 and 26.

Further connecting plates 18 are provided at the side in the vicinity of the lower corners, towards which extend spatial diagonal brackets 20 extending practically over the entire length of the frame member 10, said brackets being mounted on the two lower longitudinal bearers 11. Suitable stepped portions 21 are provided in the brackets in the region of the ring stiffeners 5 of the tank receptacle, said stepped portions serving to accommodate the rings 5. The brackets engage in the stiffening plates 6 of the tank receptacle. As is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, the brackets which are of appropriate strength are directed spatially and diagonally towards the center of gravity of the tank receptacle in such a manner that all forces can be safely absorbed without secondary stresses arising.

It is furthermore apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3 that the dimensions of the tank receptacle are such that they correspond substantially to the internal dimensions of the frame system.

It will also be seen from FIG. 7 that the frame system has two frame sections 40 and 41 which are designed and arranged in a mirror-image relationship, and are interconnected at 42 via the longitudinal bearer. The tank receptacle is shown at 43 in broken lines. The end sections 3 of the tank receptacle are accommodated in the two frame sections 40 and 41 and are anchored therein, while the cylindrical middle portion 2 of the tank receptacle is left substantially free and has no connection with the frame system. Since all forces arising can be absorbed by the end sections, the middle portion remains substantially free from stress.

In order to make full use of the prescribed dimensions of the frame system, it is essential to locate and design the fittings so that they do not make any additional demands on the space available. A particularly advantageous embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this case the aperture ring 29 is welded to the bottom of the tank receptacle near one end thereof and a dished run-off fitting 7 is welded to said aperture ring. The fitting 7 runs flatly below the bottom of the tank receptacle and extends parallel to the external wall thereof to which it is welded. The effect achieved by this design is that in spite of the full utilization of the available space as shown in FIG. 2, the fitting connected to the flange 8, which latter is moreover secured at 28 to the outer wall of the tank receptacle, is still positioned above the lower cross strut 17 at the front end of the frame system so that it is quite easy to connect hoses thereto.

The design of the run-off fitting ensures that the tank receptacle can be completely emptied and since the discharge is visible its accurate control is also possible.

If bottom discharge is not feasible a sump cup 30 is provided .as a closed insert, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4, said sump being adapted to be screwed onto the ring 29 with the interposition of a sealing member. A riser pipe 31, through which the vessel can be emptied, can be inserted into the sump.

A factor having a decisive influence on the flat shape of the dished cover is that the cover 33 should be made of thin sheet material and that there should also be a sufficiently large sealing surface in the vicinity of the flange 36. To this end a reinforcing ring 37 following the contour of the flange is welded externally thereto, onto which moreover the other members and especially the hinged plate 38 or the straining plate 39 for the tensioning screws can be welded. By these means the dished cover can be kept very flat, without detrimentally affecting the sealing thereof when the cover is closed. With the arrangement provided the dished cover can be kept within the dimensions of the upper frame member of the frame system.

What we claim is:

l. A tank container comprising a tank receptacle having a cylindrical middle portion and at least one dished end cover and run-off fittings, and a rigid frame system comprising two box-shaped end frame members each of which has a diagonally stiffened end portion and two diagonally stiffened side portions, and corners provided with container corner fittings, and longitudinal bearers for both the end frames which are common to both and maintain said frames at a distance corresponding to the length of the tank receptacle, said tank receptacle being supported only in the regions of the lower frame corners and having exterior deminisions corresponding substantially to the respective in terior deminisions of said frame.

2. A tank container as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of brackets located in the lower portions of the end frames serve to support the tank receptacle in the frame system, said brackets running diagonally from the lower frame comers to the center of gravity of the tank receptacles.

3. A tank container as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tank receptacle is provided with at least two longitudinally spaced external stiffening rings, the end frames and the brackets engaging with the most widely spaced of said external stiffening rings.

4. A tank container as claimed in claim 3 wherein said dished cover includes a flange with a stiffening ring having a sectional curvature conforming thereto attached to the flange, said ring forming a sealing surface in conjunction with the flange and being firmly attached onto the appropriate portion of a tensioning device.

5. A tank container as claimed in claim 4 comprising a tank sump and run-off which are integral with the tank receptacle.

6. A tank container as claimed in claim 5, in which the tank sump and run-off are welded to the bottom of the tank receptacle in the form of an extended dished member open at the top and tapering at one end.

7. A tank container as claimed in claim 5, in which a sump cup or dish is inserted in a liquid-tight manner in the opening in the tank receptacle leading to the sump.

8. A tank container comprising a tank receptacle comprised of a cylindrical middle portion, at least one dished end cover, and run-off fittings, and a rigid frame comprising comers provided with container corner fittings, two box-shaped, diagonally stiffened end portions comprised of face and side members, longitudinal bearer members which connect said end portions, and supporting brackets arranged in the lower corners of each end portion and extending diagonally with respect to the center of gravity of the tank receptacle, said tank receptacle being supported in said frame by said supporting brackets and having exterior dimensions corresponding substantially to the respective interior dimensions of said frame whereby said dished end cover and said run-off fitting are accommodated within the frame.

9. A tank container as claimed in claim 8 wherein said tank receptacle includes at least two axially spaced outer reinforcing rings, said end portions of said receptacle projecting beyond the outer reinforcing rings which rings are received in said supporting brackets.

10. A tank container as claimed in claim 9 wherein said dished end cover includes a flange to which is externally attached a reinforcing ring having a cross-sectional curvature conforming to said flange and forming a sealing surface in conjunction with the flange and onto which there are firmly attached portions of strainmg means.

11. A tank container as claimed in claim 8 wherein the run-off fitting is provided with a tank sump member integral with the run-off and attached to the tank receptacle from below and which is in the form of an elongated dish open at the top and opened at one end thereof.

12. A tank container as claimed in claim 11 wherein a sump cup is sealingly inserted in an opening defining the tank sump member. 

1. A tank container comprising a tank receptacle having a cylindrical middle portion and at least one dished end cover and run-off fittings, and a rigid frame system comprising two boxshaped end frame members each of which has a diagonally stiffened end portion and two diagonally stiffened side portions, and corners provided with container corner fittings, and longitudinal bearers for both the end frames which are common to both and maintain said frames at a distance corresponding to the length of the tank receptacle, said tank receptacle being supported only in the regions of the lower frame corners and having exterior deminisions corresponding substantially to the respective interior deminisions of said frame.
 2. A tank container as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of brackets located in the lower portions of the end frames serve to support the tank receptacle in the frame system, said brackets running diagonally from the lower frame corners to the center of gravity of the tank receptacles.
 3. A tank container as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tank receptacle is provided with at least two longitudinally spaced external stiffening rings, the end frames and the brackets engaging with the most widely spaced of said external stiffening rings.
 4. A tank container as claimed in claim 3 wherein said dished cover includes a flange with a stiffening ring having a sectional curvature conforming thereto attached to the flange, said ring forming a sealing surface in conjunction with the flange and being firmly attached onto the appropriate portion of a tensioning device.
 5. A tank container as claimed in claim 4 comprising a tank sump and run-off which are integral with the tank receptacle.
 6. A tank container as claimed in claim 5, in which thE tank sump and run-off are welded to the bottom of the tank receptacle in the form of an extended dished member open at the top and tapering at one end.
 7. A tank container as claimed in claim 5, in which a sump cup or dish is inserted in a liquid-tight manner in the opening in the tank receptacle leading to the sump.
 8. A tank container comprising a tank receptacle comprised of a cylindrical middle portion, at least one dished end cover, and run-off fittings, and a rigid frame comprising corners provided with container corner fittings, two box-shaped, diagonally stiffened end portions comprised of face and side members, longitudinal bearer members which connect said end portions, and supporting brackets arranged in the lower corners of each end portion and extending diagonally with respect to the center of gravity of the tank receptacle, said tank receptacle being supported in said frame by said supporting brackets and having exterior dimensions corresponding substantially to the respective interior dimensions of said frame whereby said dished end cover and said run-off fitting are accommodated within the frame.
 9. A tank container as claimed in claim 8 wherein said tank receptacle includes at least two axially spaced outer reinforcing rings, said end portions of said receptacle projecting beyond the outer reinforcing rings which rings are received in said supporting brackets.
 10. A tank container as claimed in claim 9 wherein said dished end cover includes a flange to which is externally attached a reinforcing ring having a cross-sectional curvature conforming to said flange and forming a sealing surface in conjunction with the flange and onto which there are firmly attached portions of straining means.
 11. A tank container as claimed in claim 8 wherein the run-off fitting is provided with a tank sump member integral with the run-off and attached to the tank receptacle from below and which is in the form of an elongated dish open at the top and opened at one end thereof.
 12. A tank container as claimed in claim 11 wherein a sump cup is sealingly inserted in an opening defining the tank sump member. 